In this Feb. 28, 2006 file photo, the late Anna Nicole Smith leaves the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington.

By Jesse J. Holland, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON  The long-running legal fight over whether former Playmate Anna Nicole Smith should have gotten part of the fortune left behind by her elderly Texas billionaire husband landed at the Supreme Court on Tuesday as justices announced new cases to be argued in the upcoming 2010 term.

The justices, who begin hearing arguments on other cases on Monday, decided they would hear an appeal from the estate of the now-deceased Smith later this year or in early 2011.

Smith's estate wants some of the $1.6 billion estate of her husband, J. Howard Marshall, who died in 1995. Marshall's will left nearly all his money to his son, E. Pierce Marshall, and nothing to Smith.

Smith challenged the will, claiming that her husband promised to leave her more than $300 million above the $7 million in cash and gifts showered on her during their 14-month marriage.

But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a Houston jury that said Marshall was mentally fit and under no undue pressure when he wrote a will leaving nearly all of his $1.6 billion estate to his son and nothing to Smith.

Smith's estate is appealing that ruling, part of a legal battle that has outlived its main participants. The younger Marshall died in 2006 and Smith died of a drug overdose in 2007.

The convoluted dispute over J. Howard Marshall's money has its roots in a Houston strip club where he met Smith. The two were wed in 1994 when he was 89 and she 26. Marshall died the next year and his will left his estate to his son.

Smith, and now her estate, have been fighting in court ever since to get part of Marshall's millions that she said was promised to her.

Smith's 4-year-old daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, was named Smith's heir after she died of a drug overdose at 39 at a Florida hotel. The girl's father, Larry Birkhead, and attorney Howard K. Stern are in charge of the estate.

Marshall's estate said it is ready to fight this ruling and noted other appeals in this case have yet to be heard.

"We have never wavered in our commitment to uphold the clearly stated and carefully documented wishes of the late J. Howard Marshall, II concerning how he wished the estate he created be distributed after his death," a statement from the estate said.

The fight over Marshall's fortune was among the 13 new cases the court agreed to hear in the term that begins Monday.

The court also announced the public will have access to audio recordings of all its arguments a few days after they take place. But the justices no longer will agree to media requests for same-day release of audio in high-profile cases.

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